VikingBuzz BLOG: 6/25

Kevin Brown

06/25/2007

Vikes could miss Vick...18+ touches per game for Adrian...Too much $$$ for Shiancoe and Wade?...Bears dump Tank...Scott underrated...Wade's back in Big D...Rookies getting lessons on personal conduct...and a few more offseason tidbits.

>Vick's off-field trouble could be bonus for VikingsIt's not beyond the realm of possibility that Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick will NOT be on the field for their regular-season opener due to the numerous off-the-field incidents in which he's been involved. Given commissioner Roger Goodell's put-your-teeth-where-your-policy is stance with players who can't seem to avoid trouble off the field, Vick could be facing a suspension from the league resulting from his alleged dog-fighting involvement, not to mention his earlier airport incident with the trick water bottle. Here's a hilarious Weekend Update clip on that one...really.

>Peterson among rookie RBs for fantasy playersAccording to NFLminute.com Vikings rookie RB Adrian Peterson could get 18+ touches per game once he enters the starting lineup.

>Bears pull the plug on TankReminiscent of when the Vikings dumped Koren Robinson, the Bears have given up on DT Tank Johnson and moved on without him, cutting him today according to various published reports.

>Another look at the two big tradesThe Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper trades have been analyzed to death, but until all players involved in the deals are done playing it’s fair game because of the snapshot in time.And at this point, Don Seeholzer of the PioneerPress says the Vikings weren’t the big losers many initially thought…but they haven’t been big winners, either.

>Scott among defense’s most underrated playersOne of the Vikings more underrated players is fourth-year defensive end Darrion Scott.The Vikings have invested first-round picks in starting defensive ends Kenechi Udeze and Erasmus James, but because of injuries, Scott has been a starter much of the past two seasons.In fact, from a productivity standpoint Scott has recorded 104 tackles and 9.5 sacks the past two seasons.Meanwhile, Udeze had 34 tackles and one sack.James had 30 tackles and 4 sacks.Scott does not have the outside pass-rush potential of either James or Udeze, but he is a very good interior pass rusher.It would be nice to see the team lock Scott up to a long-term deal.

>Wilson back home as Cowboys' QB coachFormer Vikings' quarterback Wade Wilson is back in his home state of Texas as the Dallas Cowboys' QBs coach once again. Wilson spent 11 seasons with the Vikings, including leading them to the NFC Championship game in 1988. Wilson held the same position with the Cowboys from 2000-02, but was "not retained" when Bill Parcells took over in Dallas. He was the Chicago Bears' quarterbacks coach from 2004-06 and gets a lot of credit for bringing along Rex Grossman there. "My family's here. I'm from Texas, all my life I've lived in Dallas since I got out of college," Wilson said in the dallascowboys.com report. "The chance to get back with the Cowboys was nice and the respect I have for Jason [Garrett], and getting back here with the family."

>Rookie symposium a renewed topic of interestOff-the-field conduct has become as important as ever and here’s hoping this year’s incoming crop of rookies gets the point.To this point it looks like they’ve brought in a solid group of guys.According to this ESPN.com story it could cost you $25K to duck out early.

>McMahon makes it north of the borderFormer NFL quarterback Mike McMahon, who struggled mightily in training camp and preseason with the Vikings last season, is one of three quarterbacks to make the opening day roster with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.The Hamilton Spectator reports he’s part of an opening-day trio that includes CFL veterans Damon Allen (Marcus Allen’s brother) and Michael Bishop (Kansas State and New England Patriots).Former Nebraska Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch is on the CFL’s version of injured reserve.

>Sanger among those on advisory boardWe’ll occasionally take a look at the 25 or so members of the Vikings’ advisory board of local business and community leaders to help guide the team’s efforts primarily in securing a new stadium, but also improving their public relations efforts.One of those members is Steve Sanger, Chairman & CEO of General Mills and a 1968 graduate of DePauw University.Other links:(Business Week) (enotes.com) (answers.com)

>Vikings get new training camp sponsorThe Vikings will have a new title sponsor for their 42nd consecutive training camp in Mankato this summer, Alltel Wireless, according to myfoxtwincities.com.